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Express Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
UK launches digital eVisas for Pakistani students, workers
Listen to article The United Kingdom has officially introduced digital eVisas for Pakistani students and workers, marking a significant step towards a modernised and streamlined immigration process. Starting from July 15, 2025, most primary applicants applying for UK study or work-related visas will no longer require a physical sticker visa in their passports. Instead, they will be issued a digital record of their immigration status, known as an eVisa. An eVisa is an online confirmation of an individual's permission to enter, stay, or work in the UK. It also outlines any conditions attached to their immigration status. This digital status can be accessed and managed through an online UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The change does not affect an individual's immigration status or the conditions of their stay but represents a shift in how this information is stored and shared. According to the British High Commission in Islamabad, the eVisa system aims to make the visa process more secure, efficient, and user-friendly. British High Commissioner Jane Marriott CMG OBE emphasised the convenience of the new system, stating that the transition to eVisas would simplify the process for Pakistani students and professionals. 'These changes to the UK visa system will make it much simpler for students and workers to prove their identity and visa status. It also means applicants can hold onto their passports, saving them time,' she said. The rollout applies to a wide range of visa categories. These include students—both for long-term and short-term study up to 11 months—along with individuals applying under the Global Business Mobility routes such as Senior or Specialist Workers, Graduate Trainees, and Secondment Workers. Other eligible categories include Global Talent, International Sportspersons, Skilled Workers (including those in the Health and Care sector), various Temporary Work routes, and applicants under the Youth Mobility Scheme. eVisa holders will be able to link their travel documents, such as passports, to their UKVI accounts to enable smoother international travel. Through the 'view and prove' service, individuals can securely share their immigration status with employers, landlords, or other authorised entities, particularly in England. However, not all visa applicants will receive an eVisa at this stage. Those applying as dependants or under visa categories not related to work or study—such as general visitor visas—will still be issued a physical sticker visa. Similarly, individuals who already possess valid physical visa stickers do not need to take any action, as their existing documents remain valid. This is part of a phased approach by the UK Home Office to fully digitise its immigration system. The goal is to eventually replace all physical immigration documents with secure, accessible digital records. The transition to eVisas aligns with global trends in immigration management and reflects the UK's commitment to using technology to improve the customer experience for visa applicants worldwide.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
UK replaces passport stickers with eVisas for some: What you need to know if you're planning your travel
Live Events You Might Also Like: UK may rethink non-dom inheritance tax as wealthy foreigners exit Create a UKVI account Link their current passport to their eVisa Check their account for accuracy Generate and carry an 'S' share code in case their eVisa is not viewable while travelling Verify that new employees have completed all steps in the pre-travel checklist Conduct right-to-work checks online using the eVisa system Guide applicants with dependants on the differing procedures for family members View their visa status and expiry Share their immigration status with landlords or employers using time-bound share codes Update personal and travel document details You Might Also Like: UK study visa applications witness a sharp rise despite graduate route cuts Non-European nationals granted UK entry clearance through work and specific other visa routes now no longer receive a physical visa sticker in their passports. Instead, applicants will be issued an electronic visa, or eVisa , accessible through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. The move, that kicked off on June 15, is part of the Home Office's plan to fully digitise the UK's immigration to the UK Home Office guidance, this change applies to those applying under the Skilled Worker (including Health and Care), Global Business Mobility, Global Talent, International Sportsperson, Temporary Worker (including Creative Workers and Government Authorised Exchange), Youth Mobility Scheme, and Student visa under these routes will no longer need to hand over their passports at visa application centres for visa vignette placement, reducing travel restrictions and courier delays. They can remain mobile during the processing period, though may still be called for an interview on short notice.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)Applicants with stays under 90 days or dependants of main applicants will continue to receive vignette stickers in their eVisa serves as a digital record of a migrant's immigration status, replacing several physical documents such as biometric residence permits (BRPs), biometric residence cards (BRCs), passport endorsements, and visa vignette stickers. This rollout builds on earlier implementation through the EU Settlement Home Office said, 'Updating your physical document to an eVisa does not affect your immigration status or the conditions of your permission to enter or stay in the UK.'Expired BRPs and BRCs are no longer valid for travel. Travellers must ensure their eVisa is linked to a valid passport before entering the UK. If the eVisa is not properly linked, carriers may refuse under 18 must also have individual UKVI accounts, with parents or guardians managing them where who have other physical evidence of indefinite leave to remain (ILR) or indefinite leave to enter (ILE), such as wet ink stamps or vignette stickers, are advised to apply for a no-time-limit (NTL) eVisa. Individuals eligible under the Windrush Scheme or those applying under the EU Settlement Scheme can also receive an Home Office reiterated that, 'Millions have already received their eVisas since 2018 and more categories will follow as we fully transition to digital status.'Applicants are advised to follow guidance carefully, especially before international travel, and to keep both their passport and immigration details updated in the UKVI system.
